The Roane State Community College Alumni Magazine Spring/Summer 2006
Contributors
Roane State Today
About the cover
Gary Goff
About the cover: First
graders in Michelle
Morrow’s class at
Fairview Elementary
in Scott County work
together. From bottom
are Shayla Lowe, Kenny
West and Kayli Lowe.
President
Melinda Hillman
Vice President for Institutional Advancement
Tamsin Miller
Director of Alumni Relations
Tammy Stanford
Editor
Sandi Roberts
Graphic Designer
Contributors
Neil Crosby
Jeff Gary
Send correspondence and
address changes to:
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Contributors
Roane State Community College
Alumni Relations
276 Patton Lane
Harriman, TN 37748
Letter from the President
(865) 882-4503
alumni@roanestate.edu
Vistas
Feature
You Must Remember This
Up Close
Cover Features
Spirit
News Notes
Class Notes/
Roane State Presents
Alumni Chapters
Roane State Foundation
Calendar
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Background photo: The Roane State Playmakers in a barracks
from the recent production of Neil Simonʼs “Biloxi Blues.”
Roane State Community College is designated by the S
Tennessee to serve Anderson, Campbell, Cumberland,
Loudon, Morgan, Roane and Scott counties. The colleg
provides health-science education to Blount and Knox
Contents
The Roane State Community College Alumni Magazine Volume IV, Number 1
Jump Start
Roane State’s Dual Credit students are going places earlier
and faster.
Mr. CHS
If you’re a Coalfield School student, award-winning teacher
Mike Smith is everywhere you need to be.
scene
State of
, Fentress,
ge also
x counties.
No Fences
The Big South Fork P-16 Council is erasing artificial lines
separating students . . . and giving away computers to boot.
Spring/Summer 2006
7
12
14
3
Letter
from the President
2006 is Roane State Community College’s 35th Anniversary year, and I hope you will help us celebrate.
Throughout the year, the college will host a series of monthly events to honor our faculty, staff, students
and alumni for their 35 years of academic excellence.
As the kick-off event to our celebration, Roane State celebrated Presidents’ Day in honor of the three former
college presidents (Dr. Dunbar, Dr. Hoppe, and Dr. McCamey). These former presidents established and
maintained our standard of academic excellence, providing the direction for the college during the closing
of the 20th century and setting the vision for the 21st century. The college and community celebrated their
return to the campus at an all-day event that culminated in a community reception where the presidents
and their friends got to relive old times and friendships.
Our first president, Dr. Cuyler Dunbar, had the challenge to create a college, hire faculty, enroll students
and provide higher education to the citizens of eight counties (Roane, Campbell, Loudon, Scott, Morgan,
Fentress, Cumberland, and Anderson). In 1973 our first graduation was held and 39 students walked
across the stage and received their college degrees. The initial 12 faculty members hired by Dr. Dunbar
were affectionately called the “dirty dozen” and they established a legacy of academic excellence based on
student learning outcomes and competencies. The initial graduating class of 39 set the academic standard
for all future Roane State graduates. Dr. Dunbar oversaw massive growth during his 18 years at RSCC.
The college grew from 323 students to over 4,000.
Our second president, Dr. Sherry Hoppe, had the vision to expand open access to higher education and
created campuses in Oak Ridge, Crossville, Lenoir City, LaFollette, Huntsville, and Knoxville. During her
12 years of leadership at RSCC, she introduced continuous quality improvement into the college culture
and raised the bar for successful fund-raising. She also extended access and innovation through the creative
use of information technology.
Our third president, Dr. Wade McCamey, continued the expansion of our campuses to Jamestown and
oversaw the construction of a new campus in LaFollette during his almost four years at Roane State. He
created a partnership for the expansion of our nursing program with PSTCC’s Magnolia Avenue campus
in east Knoxville. Dr. McCamey also developed the 2+2 Partnership for Elementary Education with Tennessee Technological University and the establishment of the Big South Fork P-16 Council.
As you look back on your time at Roane State, you can take great pride in being a part of this 35-year
history of academic excellence. As we roll out our plans for a series of monthly celebrations, I hope you
will be able to join us. We are very proud of you, our alumni. Our alumni are the best measure of how
well we have done our job at Roane State, and you are our best spokespersons. Speak proudly about your
Roane State education.
4
Vistas
of Roane State
Roane County Campus
The Salvation Army recently recognized Roane State for five years of employee volunteerism.
Faculty and staff members of the college “ring the bell” at businesses and organizations around
Roane County during the Christmas season to assist with the Salvation Army’s annual fund
drive. Ray Dalrymple, Salvation Army service extension director for the Kentucky and Tennessee
division, recently was on campus to thank the college community for its continued efforts.
Oak Ridge Campus
Thanks to the generosity of Ross and Evelyn Matthews, this campus has what is believed to be
the only pipe organ at a community college in the country. The Matthews family donated
the practice pipe organ to the campus for the growing list of students who see the arts as the
perfect way to round out their education. Among that group: Mikeong Kim, a pre-nursing
major, who received the first Louis Hughes Memorial Organ Scholarship.
Campbell County Campus
The RSCC Campbell County Alumni Association is actively working to raise funds to
furnish and equip the new Campbell County Campus scheduled for completion in June.
A television auction is planned for May 20. If you would like to be a part of this event, call
the Campbell County campus at (423) 562-7021.
Cumberland County Campus
Roane State’s Brad Fox is a driving force behind the Cumberland Business Incubator (CBI), a cooperative effort by seven regional agencies to help businesses begin and grow in the region. And
in his “spare” time, the business professor develops and fine-tunes “alternative delivery systems”
of instruction for the college’s busy students. Such alternatives will increasingly be in
demand, Fox believes. “Our students love the convenience that online courses and hybrid
courses provide. I expect that more and more of our courses will be offered in this format
in the near future.”
5
Vistas
continued
Fentress County Campus
Students, staff and the public are enjoying the use of new furniture and
other furnishings paid for by Steve Rains and Progressive Savings Bank, Guy
and Claudine Pinckley, and Kevin Hughes and First Volunteer Bank. The
campus now has rolling chairs and tables, as well as framed pictures, in the
community room. The student lounge, which students have decided to
decorate in a theme that combines country-western with tropical, has a
new couch and chairs, coffee table, entertainment center, and study tables.
Knox County Campus
The list of clinical sites for Health Information Technology students has expanded. Students are
now gaining experience in medical records and coding at Thompson Cancer Survival Center, East
Tennessee Children’s Hospital and Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center. The HIT program is
also bringing in health information professionals to talk with students about their experiences
in the field.”
Loudon County Campus
The bloodmobile often stops at this campus that is housed with the public library and the career center in the heart of downtown Lenoir City. That makes for lots of traffic for the Red Cross,
and also lets area residents get an idea of what the local Roane State campus has to offer.
Morgan County Campus
A Roane State facility in Morgan County is a go! The Tennessee Board of Regents, the Tennessee Higher Education Commission and the Tennessee Building Commission have approved a new campus in Wartburg. The building could be completed in time for fall 2007
classes.
Scott County Campus
A 2,000-square-foot expansion will soon be under way at this campus. The addition will include
a classroom, testing area, restrooms, and faculty offices. In addition, a 960-foot permanent storage
building will be added. Private donors are funding the $300,000 expansion project, which will
bring the total Scott County Campus size to 22, 705 square feet.
6
College . . .
it’s not just for
high school
graduates
anymore.
Academically qualified juniors and seniors at high schools across
the region do “double-time” in Roane State’s Dual Credit program.
They complete both high school and college course requirements in the same class.
Thanks to a recent extension of the state’s lottery scholarship program, many Dual Credit
students enjoy financial aid to help pay for this “jump start.” (continued on page 8)
Roane Stateʼs Dual Credit class at Rockwood High School. Front row from left: Sharon Latham, Miranda Smith, Jennifer Hill, Karly Martin, Krystal Moriarty. Middle row
from left: Jeremy Broome, Jessica Evans, David Morgan, Andrea Bourne, Megan Couch, Amberly Goldberg, April Montgomery. Back row from left: Cory Turpin, Cameron
Lawson, Jamie Hackler, Cody Aytes.
7
Dual Credit students go off to college with credits
in English, psychology, calculus, biology, history
and other subjects already on their transcripts.
Though many opt to enroll at Roane State after high
school, it’s not a requirement for participation in
the program.
“I essentially ‘cut’ a year out of my college by doing
Dual Credit,” said Bonnie Childers of Kingston, who
also studied at Roane State after high school and is
now a nursing student at Tennessee Wesleyan
College. “It was absolutely wonderful. It’s really a
great way to go.”
Said Yasmine Alotaibi, a Dual Credit English
student at York Institute: “It’s really convenient to
have a college class at my high school.
“I know I’ll be doing a lot of writing in college. This
is a good way to prepare,” said Alotaibi, who plans
to attend Vanderbilt University.
Dual Credit classes can be located on high school
campuses or at one of Roane State’s locations. This
spring, nearly 200 students are enrolled in Dual
Credit from these high schools: Anderson County,
Campbell, Clinton, Cumberland, Greenback, Jellico,
Loudon, Oneida, Rockwood, Scott and York
Institute.
Rockwood High School has the longest-running,
continuous Dual Credit program in Roane State’s
region. Students there have been signing up for Dual
Credit courses since 1975-76, according to Clarence
Holloway, RHS guidance counselor.
“Dual Credit students, who must meet stringent
standards to enroll, are something special,” said Ted
Stryk, a Roane State instructor who teaches Dual
Credit English at Rockwood High.
8
RHS Dual Credit students work on an
assignment in the computer lab. From
left: Jamie Hackler, Megan Couch,
Jessica Evans, Brittany Cates,
Mitchell Holcomb and Miranda Smith.
“These aren’t your average 17-year-olds,” Stryk said.
“They’re extraordinarily motivated and always
willing to learn. That makes it worth showing up
(at RHS) at 7:30 every morning.”
Roane State instructor Ted Stryk goes over homework with Dual Credit students
at Rockwood High.
In addition to earning credits, Dual Credit students can adjust to college expectations
in a familiar setting with familiar faces, noted Stryk, who also teaches Dual Credit at
Scott High. For example, a lot of my students are reluctant
to express an opinion in a theme paper. That’s essential to
college-level work. But they’ve often been told not to.”
“And some aren’t ready to work independently–another
hallmark of college studies. But these (Dual Credit)
students adjust quickly.”
Jamie Hackler, one of Stryk’s Dual Credit students, agreed.
“I wasn’t used to doing a lot of out-of-class work. But I
adjusted, and it’s really just like any other class.”
Classmate Krystal Moriarty found the work “tough, but a
lot easier than I thought it would be.” She plans to enroll
at Roane State after high school and major in elementary
education.
Dual Credit greatly enriches the high school experience,
said Guy Thompson, an English/journalism teacher at
Rockwood High. He should know; he took Dual Credit English at Rockwood while a
student there in the early 1980s. And his mother, Pat Thompson, taught Dual Credit at
Rockwood High from 1976-2001.
“I remember that Dual Credit was a lot of work,” Thompson said. “One of the terms, we
wrote 10 papers in 10 weeks. We’d have class on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and
study sessions on Tuesday and Thursday.”
As Stryk noted, just like college.
Criteria for acceptance
into Dual Credit for
high school juniors
and seniors:
• 3.2 grade point
average on a 4.0
scale
• Permission of high
school principal,
counselor and
parent
• ACT composite of
19 or higher
• ACT subscores in
English, math and
reading of 19 or
higher
Tennessee Lottery
scholarships for Dual
Credit classes:
• Up to $300 per
semester and
$600 per academic
year
• Students must
maintain a 2.75
cumulative GPA in
Dual Credit courses
Above: Roane State alumni Bonnie
Childers racked up lots of Dual Credit
hours at the college.
Right: Ben Ellis and Yasmine Alotaibi,
Dual Credit students at York Agricultural
Institute in Jamestown, work on an
assignment.
9
You Must Remember This
35 years of academic excellence
Roane State welcomed the college’s past presidents to campus for a Februa
The homecoming kicked off the observance of “35 Years of Academic Exce
Check www.roanestate.edu for details on the yearlong celebration.
Guests of honor at the kickoff event were (left to right):
Dr. Wade McCamey
He was named president in 2001 and is now the president of Walters State Community College.
Bill Fuqua
When Dr. Hoppe was named interim president at Austin Peay in 2000, this longtime Roane State executive vic
Dr. Sherry Hoppe
This current president of Austin Peay State University was at the Roane State helm from 1988-2000.
Dr. Cuyler Dunbar
The“founding father” of Roane State, Dunbar was president from 1971-1988. He is now president of Catawba
Dr. Gary Goff
“Coming home” to East Tennessee from Florida, this current Roane State president was appointed in 2005.
10
ary reception.
ellence.”
ce president filled in as Roane State’s leader.
a Valley Community College in Hickory, NC.
11
Up Close
Renaissance Man
By Jeff Gary, Director of Marketing and Public Relations
Mike Smith teaches chemistry,
biology, anatomy/physiology
and physical science. He even teaches
ecology. Before school and again after
school, he even drives a school bus.
12
At Coalfield School, Mike Smith is a renaissance man. He IS
the high school science teacher. And last October, the work
he has done in his scientific research class and other teaching
was rewarded with a $25,000 Milken Family National Educator
Award. The Roane State alumnus was one of two Tennessee
teachers who received the award and is one of 2,100 educators
to receive the award since its inception in 1987.
“You donʼt apply for the award,” Smith explains. “You are nominated for it.
(State Commissioner of Education) Lana Seivers got information together
on the nominees and got it to Milken. And, then, they decide who will be
receiving the award.”
And his reaction? “Truly
honored,” he recalls. “I was
floored.”
With Smithʼs passion for excellent teaching, it would be easy for one to
imagine that it was a lifelong calling. But, in fact, that was not the case.
“I was going to Roane State. I was looking into various programs and I was
sitting in the hallways one day waiting to go into Pam Gallowayʼs (now
Siergiej) cell biology class. Another student was having trouble understanding
a particular concept and she came over to me and asked if I could help. We
sat there, I explained it and she understood.
“When it was over, I had such a good feeling about what had happened. I
thought how good it would be to do this for a living; to know that something
you say, something you teach, can stay with someone for life.”
And, he says, his Roane State experience was a very positive one. “I liked the
smaller classes. You get to know your professors and you get to have one-onone contact. I often tell my students that (Roane State) is a great place to start
your college education.”
Smith finished his degree and
transferred to Tennessee Tech
University, where he received
his bachelorʼs. and masterʼs
degrees in curriculum and
instruction. He is currently
working on a second masterʼs
degree in biology through an
online program of the
University of Nebraska.
Smith says his style of
teaching follows a new trend
called science inquiry. “Weʼve
had to shift to that gradually,”
he recalls. “The old method of
setting up lab experiments was
a cookbook style. Basically,
you do step one, step two, step
three. But, now weʼre trying a
system of discovery. You help
them learn how to figure things
out.”
Learning, like good teaching,
is a lifelong pursuit. And good
teaching, Smith notes, runs
in the family. His wife, Leslie
(a Roane State alumna) is an
elementary school teacher at Oliver Springs
Elementary. They have a daughter, Anna, 4.
But, to do that, you have to have the right
kind of facility. So, in his six years at Coalfield, Smith has been involved in an ongoing scavenger hunt, of sorts, to build the
type of lab he needs for science inquiry.
A piece of equipment here, an innovation
there. New microscopes. New lab tables.
Step-by-step.
“The other thing that attracted me to
teaching,” Smith says, candidly, “is that it is
a great lifestyle for raising a family. Weʼre
both teachers. We have the same schedule.
Itʼs wonderful.”
“When I first got here, our lab and classroom were one in the same. Now, we
have a separate classroom and the ʻlabʼ is
the lab. When I first came in, the storage
closet for the lab had a few chemicals and
a lot of baseball equipment in it.
“But, what I am finding is that it takes a
community to back a school. A lot of people
have helped me acquire the tools we need
to teach.”
And, those things donʼt happen by accident.
And, the experience Smith is giving his
students in the classroom is equally
wonderful. He doesnʼt take that
responsibility lightly.
Clockwise from top left: Smith with his
prize money for the Milken Family National
Educator Award; with a group of students;
behind the wheel of his schoolbus; guiding
a student through a lab exercise.
“Successful teaching is not an 8:30 to 3:30 job,” Smith says. “You have to be
willing to go out into the community and make contacts. Networking is a huge
part of it.”
Growing up on a farm and being a member of his high school FFA didnʼt hurt,
either. “It definitely helps to be a handyman.”
Another tool has been Smithʼs participation in an Oak Ridge National Lab
program, LSTPD (Laboratory Science Teacher Professional Development).
In addition to receiving a stipend, a travel allowance and a modest equipment
grant, Smith works side-by-side with ORNL scientists. This summer, Smith will
complete his third and final ORNL stint.
“It has been a wonderful way for me to gain more hands-on knowledge and
experience that I can put to work in my classroom.”
“In this role, you are a mentor. You show your students that you respect
them and you expect them to respect you. But, you also have to have some
compassion, too. Being here, I get to know the students. I get to know their
family situations. Driving a school bus, you get to see the situation theyʼre
from.”
“At times, you pull them aside and ask ʻWhatʼs going on? How may I help
you?”
“Iʼm probably more compassionate than I was when I came here six years
ago. Education is not always their priority if theyʼre hungry when they go to
bed at night.”
So whatʼs next for Smith? Heʼll finish out this school year and continue to
spark the intellectual curiosity of his students. And, this summer, heʼll do his
third year in the ORNL program. In between, heʼll head to Washington, D.C.
for the national ceremony honoring his Milken Award.
Oh, and thereʼs the bus.
“Well, thereʼs nothing magic about that. The hours donʼt conflict. Itʼs a great
part-time job for a teacher!”
13
Smooth Transition
By Tammy Stanford, Alumni Publications Editor
Breaking down barriers for students of all
ages and at all levels–thatʼs the mission
of the Big South Fork P-16 Council.
Members of the Big South Fork P-16 Council gather at the Morgan County Schools central office recently. From row from left: Toni
McGriff, director of Roane County Schools and co-chairwoman of P-16; Larry Bouldin, Roane State dean of math/science and P-16
facilitator; Adolf King, Roane State vice president for academic services; Judy Tyl, Roane State vice president for students and enrollment
management; Sandra Cannon, Tech Prep coordinator; Kathy Rhodes, Roane State director of distance education and advising. Middle
row from left: Henry Baggett, director of Oneida City Schools; Mike Smith, Coalfield High teacher; Judy Hurst, principal of Central
Middle School in Wartburg; Pam May, coordinator for Roane Stateʼs Fentress campus; Patricia Justice, Central Middle School teacher;
Suzanne Poole, principal of Petros-Joyner School in Morgan County. Back row from left: Dallas Davis, principal of Central High School
in Wartburg; Gary Goff, Roane State president; Jason Davis, teacher at Central Middle School in Wartburg; Wanda Lane, assistant
director of Morgan County Schools; Mike Davis, director of Morgan County Schools.
14
“P-16” stands for pre-school through college (“grade 16”). In the Big South Fork
portion of the statewide consortium, leaders from all realms of life in Anderson,
Campbell, Cumberland, Fentress, Loudon, Morgan, Roane and Scott counties strive
to make education seamless.
“P-16 works to consolidate, unify and coordinate the activities, aspirations and plans of
educational entities in the region,” said Dr. Larry Bouldin, director of the Big South Fork
P-16 Council and Roane State’s dean of math/science.
“In short, we get to know one another and share ideas, goals and dreams to produce the
desired result—a better quality of life for all our citizens.”
Examples of P-16 initiatives: Discussing with business leaders the types of skilled workers
needed for the future; making it simpler for students to move from high school to a
Tennessee technology center, community college or university; and sharing resources
throughout the consortium.
P-16 is already producing results, Bouldin said. Thanks to the council’s efforts and the help
of area state legislators, state lottery scholarships have been extended to area high school
students in Dual Credit college classes (see related story p. 7). Roane State also has
donated surplus computers to a local school system (see related story p. 16). And in early
April, the community college welcomed K-12 teachers from throughout the region for the
Symposium on Powerful Teaching.
Roane State President Dr. Gary Goff, also a P-16 member, underscored one of the ultimate
goals – skilled workers. “The P-16 initiative and in particular the Big South Fork P-16 Council
is designed to support a seamless transition through Tennessee’s secondary and higher
education systems in order to provide a high-quality education for an individual to be
competitive within the workforce,” Goff said.
Big South Fork P-16 has nine counterparts across the state. The P-16 network aims to build
communication among educational and community agencies; share ideas, issues and “best
practices;” and organize as a common voice.
Said Judy Tyl, Roane State vice president for students and enrollment management and
a driving force behind the Big South Fork P-16’s establishment, “This group has been a
wonderful platform for discussion of educational issues across the region and has given
each of us insight into what is happening at the various levels – pre-school, elementary,
high school and college. As a result, valuable contacts have been made which has led to
more open communication between the levels. In addition to identifying key issues that
need work, we have been fortunate to see some of the great things that are going on in
the schools of our area.”
At a recent Big South Fork P-16 meeting, Morgan County educators described their school
system’s participation in the international www.teacherweb.com, where parents, teachers
and students can get essential information specific to their school.
For example, parents can download a syllabus or the classroom rules for their child’s
instructor. Or if a child is sick and out of school, a parent can go online and find out about
missed classwork and homework assignments. And students can schedule one-on-one
counseling via teacherweb.com.
“It’s extremely easy for teachers to update the information. It just makes our job easier and
is a great communication tool,” said Jason Davis, a language arts teacher at Wartburg
Central Middle School who has worked extensively on the site.
Spotlighting and learning from Morgan County’s independent initiative on teacherweb.com,
while carrying through projects such as the Scott County surplus computer gifts, is the
perfect blend of what P-16 aspires to do, Bouldin said.
“The Scott County cooperative effort was a win-win situation for all involved. It’s a great
example of institutions and groups working together to enhance lives. The P-16 Council
hopes to have many more good things to flow from its efforts now and in the future.” 15
Leaping Ahead
By Tammy Stanford, Alumni Publications Editor
You donʼt need a computer to do the math:
motivated teacher plus high-tech tool
equals better, faster learning.
17
Roane State and the P-16 Council recently donated more than 130 surplus computers
to the Scott County school system. Now, teachers like Michelle Morrow of Fairview
Elementary can quickly figure out which first graders need help and where.
“Math, reading, vocabulary–I can evaluate each student and print a report on which skills
they’ve mastered and which they have not,” Morrow said.
Thanks to the Roane State/P-16 gift, Morrow has a classroom computer fast enough to run
“LeapTrack” software. “I’m able to assess and get results within 15 minutes on each child,”
said Morrow. She then sends a self-contained learning tool called“LeapPad” home with each
student to work on individualized exercises.
“Most of the computers donated by Roane State and P-16 are now in classrooms,” said Mike
Lay, technology coordinator for Scott County Schools. When he heard of the gift of surplus
computers, he was cautiously optimistic.
“When we first got (the computers), we were most excited about the monitors,” Lay
recalled. “But we soon found that the computers themselves were well above the minimum
specifications (set by tech coordinators across the state).”
Specifically, Lay and his department found that the computers were uniform and
interchangeable. So if a computer in a lab goes down, for example, Lay can troubleshoot with
few problems. “The standardization is a huge help with maintenance and repair,” he said.
Once Lay and crew evaluated the donations, they found that the machines “were so good
that we decided to roll them out in the classroom. Now we’re taking out machines that are
eight, nine years old and replacing them with machines that are five years old and in very
good shape.”
Valerie Williams’ Fairview Elementary kindergartners visit a computer lab twice a week for
40-minute sessions. “Most of my students don’t have a computer at home,” Williams
said. “In our lab, we have enough computers to accommodate the whole class. They play
educational games, learning alphabet and letter sounds.”
Like her Fairview colleagues, Kate King of Burchfield Elementary was frustrated with the
behind-the-times technology she had in her second-grade classroom. “Our old computers
‘froze up’ so much,” King said. Now the four computers in her classroom allow students
to run LeapTrack as well as Compass Learning, another software package that covers all
academic subjects.
“My students can access the computers on an individualized basis,” King said. “I’m very
grateful.”
“Roane State is happy to help,” said Jack Walker, the community college’s director of
purchasing. The surplus computers are “living” a second life in the Scott system, rather
than gathering dust in a warehouse.
“This is a ‘win-win’ situation,” Walker said. “This frees up storage space for us and lets us
avoid the time-consuming process of sending the equipment to surplus. It certainly makes
more sense to put these machines to good use in our local school systems.”
It’s just not youngsters in primary grades who are benefiting. Barbara Shoemaker’s
seventh-grade science students at Burchfield use the donated computers to write papers,
put together PowerPoint presentations, and do research via the World Wide Web.
“This is real world,” Shoemaker said. “These kids are going to be competing with people
from China and India for jobs. They have to be ready. I want them to see what’s out there.”
From top, left to right: Mike Lay and Barbara Shoemaker
discuss computer resources in Shoemakerʼs classroom; student
Cody Baker completes a project; Morrowʼs students–clockwise
from top left MiKayla Phillips, Zachary Isabel, Darren Lawson
and Brandon Morgan–concentrate on LeapTrack; Morrow
works with Kenny West, Kayli Lowe and Shayla Lowe; Brooke
Dunphy is “plugged in” to the wonders of web research;
members of Shoemakerʼs class work as teams on assignments.
Opposite: Shannon Burress, a Burchfield Elementary second
grader, prepares to complete an exercise on the LeapTrack
system.
Meanwhile, Lay is planning to do more with the Roane State/P-16 gifts. “One of our goals is
to replace all the Pentium I-level Windows 95 machines in the system.”
Shoemaker is dreaming even bigger. “If I could have a laptop computer on every student’s
desk, I’d be happy,” she says with a laugh.
16
Spirit
the A team
Roane State’s student-athletes compete in and
out of the classroom. These primetime players
have the top grade point averages in their
respective sports:
Robert Gilmore
Marnie Spurlock
Team: Baseball Raiders
Team: Softball Lady Raiders Team: Basketball Raiders
Team: Basketball Raiderettes
Hometown: Rockwood
Hometown: Baxter
Hometown: Kingston
Hometown: Crossville
Gilmore chose Roane
State so he could get the
education he wanted,
play ball and stay close
to his family.
Spurlock first came to Roane
State simply as a student.
The softball came later.
Professor and former
basketball coach Johnny
Jones referred Spurlock to
Softball Coach Sue Niemi,
and Spurlock was soon
suited up, playing third base.
Sitzlar was “red-shirted” this
past season because
of an injury. He’ll get
another year of playing time
for Roane State in 2006-07
before transferring to either
Tennessee Tech University
or the University of
Tennessee to study civil
engineering.
Lorenzo planned to enroll at
Roane State since junior high,
when she came to the college
for basketball camp.
Gilmore, who plans to
transfer to Tennessee Tech
University this fall to
study engineering, makes
bookwork a priority, and
also studies when the
Raiders are on the road.
Gilmore likes the
individualized attention
he gets from Roane State’s
professors. “Teachers at
a small college are great
about working with you
one on one,” said the
Raider pitcher. “My
personal favorite is
Peggy Hilliard, my
English teacher.”
18
Spurlock applies the lessons
learned on the field in the
classroom. “In sports you
learn to manage your time
so that you can play,” said
Spurlock, who is bound for
Tennessee Tech University
in the fall to major in
elementary education.
“You just know what it
takes to get it done, and
you do it.”
Justin Sitzlar
Heather DeLorenzo
DeLorenzo, who will transfer
to Tennessee Tech to major in
education this fall, has sports
and school in perspective.
“Some people think athletes
are ‘dumb jocks,’ but in
reality we have a lot of
pressure put upon us by
our coaches to keep our
grades up.”
“Roane State has great
teachers, and I’ve made
new friends here who
have taught me a lot. As
an athlete, you learn to work
She looks forward to the
to get results on the court,
future, but knows “I’ll miss
but the same applies to the
the sport. I love basketball.”
classroom. Athletes can
make the jump from the
court to the classroom.”
News Notes
from the headlines
Tracy Powers is the new director of the Campbell County Higher Education Center. Powers previously was director of the Scott County Higher
Education Center, a position she held for more than eight years. In Campbell County, she replaces longtime director Cindy (Vinsant) Gardipe, who
took a higher education job in Florida.
Sharon Baird, longtime technical clerk at the Campbell County campus, has been named interim director of the Scott County campus.
Roane State is now offering surplus equipment for sale to the public via GovDeals, a nationwide online auction service. Items for sale will be posted
continuously and can be accessed via Roane State’s home page at www.roanestate.edu or through www.govdeals.com. Bidders can register free of
charge at the GovDeals site.
The college’s Center for Professional Development and Computer Training has a new location – 105 Broadway Ave. in Oak Ridge, next
to Big Ed’s Pizza. The center offers computer training as well as other continuing education classes in business management, health science and other
fields.
For an unprecedented fourth year in a row, Roane State has earned a perfect score on an evaluation by the Tennessee Higher Education
Commission (THEC). Roane State is the only college in the state to receive 100 points in 2002, 2003 and 2004; and one of only three schools to
achieve 100 in 2005 on THEC’s Performance Funding.
Roane State honored those who have served in the nation’s military at a Veterans Day observance. The event on the Roane County campus
included a flag retirement ceremony and a POW/MIA remembrance service. Area veterans, including Roane State President Dr. Gary Goff and
other Roane State faculty and staff members, served as an honor guard.
Longtime faculty member Russ Schubert has been named interim dean of the Oak Ridge campus and county satellite centers. Schubert also is
continuing his service as dean of the Business Department at the college.
Lesha Hill is also doing “double-duty” for the college. The director of the Respiratory Therapy program is also dean of Health Sciences.
Three Roane State students are participating in Disney World’s paid internship program this spring:Tanda Miller and Kelley Wilkerson
from the Cumberland County campus, and Bethany Tate from the Fentress County campus are working this semester at the Florida resort. And
in February, students from several Roane State campuses interviewed for the opportunity to participate in upcoming Disney World internships.
From left: Students listen to a presentation
about Disney World internships, soldiers
assist with the retirement of a United
States flag at the Veterans Day ceremonies,
Lesha Hill, Sharon Baird, Russ Schubert,
and Tracy Powers.
19
Update fellow alumni about what’s going
on in your life. Fill out the coupon below
and return to Alumni Relations.
Class Notes
’85
’01
Roane State
Presents
Joanna C. (Emery) Williams (A.S.General Studies) is a customer service
representative for Charter Communications. She lives in Crossville. Williams
received her bachelor’s from Tennessee
Technological University in interdisciplinary studies, with an emphasis in
elementary education and English, in
2003. She is the mother of four-year-old
Mason Williams.
’04
Nicole (Phillips) Swint (A.S.-Accounting) is currently attending UT for a
bachelor’s in accounting. She has a
spring internship with Rodefor Moss
and Co. in Knoxville. She married Justin
Swint in July 2004.
In memoriam
Alumnus Glenn Stanley “Stan” Ballard
(‘86, A.S.-General) passed away Dec. 22,
2005.
Sharon L. (Blaylock) Smith (A.A.Business) is vice president of human
resources at Universal American
Financial Corp. in Florida. She holds
a master’s degree in human resources
management, a master’s in human
resources development and an MBA.
While at Roane State, she was state vice
president of Gamma Beta Phi. Smith has
two adult children, Nikki Goethals and
Khrys Ferguson.
’00
Carolyn D. Huntley (AS-General Studies) works for Bechtel National, Inc. as
a contract information specialist. She
graduated from Tusculum University
with a bachelor’s degree in organizational management. Huntley lives in
Oak Ridge and has three adult children,
Todd, Sean and Eric; and one grandchild, Alexus Bridel Starkweather, born
in October 2005.
Lori Robbins Dailey (A.A.S.-Dental
Hygiene) is a dental hygienist. She lives
in Madisonville with her husband,
Former student Julia Heath passed away
March 11, 2006 (attended Roane State
in the 1970s and ‘80s).
Student Zachary Lee Robinson passed
away March 4, 2006.
Alumna Shelley (Summers) Schwartz
(’84 , A.A.S.-Respiratory Therapy) passed
away March 13, 2006.
performing and visual arts
Schedule of Events
April 13-15, 20-22 “Broadway Review”
The Roane State Music Department pays homage to
an artistic form that stands the test of time–the musical. RSCC Theatre, 7 p.m. Tickets $10 ($5 for students)
available at the door. Information: (865) 882-4589. See
accompanying gallery exhibit by Tim VanBeke.
April 20-22, 27-29 Meet-the-Artist Reception
Art Exhibit. Artist Tim VanBeke creates conceptual abstractions of future technologies with social
implications that are glamorous, sexually
provocative and gender ambiguous. 6:30-7:45 p.m.
April 28-30 Spring Dance Concert
Arts in Motion Dance
Studio. Delightful concert
for the entire family.
RSCC Theatre, 7 p.m.
Friday & Saturday; 2 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday.
Tickets are $10/8 and
available only in advance
through Arts in Motion, Kingston Studio. Tickets and
information: (865) 376-0295.
Check our Web site frequently for updates and additional performances at:
www.roanestate.edu keyword: Roane State Presents
Dennis, and their children Hank, 3, and
Clara, 1.
Photo: Abbey Roberts and Zoe Hill performed in the Spring 2005 Dance Concert.
We’ve Missed You! Where Have You Been?
Name _______________________________________________________________________________
(First)
(Middle Initial or Maiden)
(Last)
RSCC Degree(s) and/or Year(s) Attended/Graduated ___________________________________________
Home Phone# __________________________________________ SS# __________________________
Home Address _________________________________________________________________________
City __________________________________ State ________________________ Zip ______________
E-mail Address _________________________________________________________________________
other items of interest). Send photos (digital preferred). __________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
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Occupation/Title _______________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Activities while attending Roane State (Student Government, Sports, . . .) ____________
Employer _____________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________
Permission to add to online directory?
_________________________________
Yes
No
Spouse’s Name _________________________________________________________________________
20
Other news (marriages, births, promotions, awards, major accomplishments, retirement,
_________________________________
Names/Ages of Children __________________________________________________________________ _________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________
Send to:
Alumni Relations
Roane State Community College
276 Patton Lane
Harriman, TN 37748-5011
e-mail: alumni@roanestate.edu
www.roanestate.edu/alumni
Alumni
alumni chapter news
Environmental Health Alumni Association
In February the Environmental
Health Alumni Association (EHAA)
taught the Environmental Science
Merit Badge at the 20th annual
Merit Badge College for the Boy
Scouts of America. Participating
EHAA members were: John Tilley of
BWXT, Brad Parish of Kelly Scientific
Services, Rebecca Charles of Teledyne
Brown Engineering, and Wayne
Underwood of ORNL.
Laboratory experiments covered such topics as the effects of the environment
on living organisms, environmental enhancements that reduce polluting
effects of storm water runoff, contrasting observations of real-time local air
collection data and decomposition of packing materials sent to the landfill.
e-mail: ehealthalum@roanestate.edu
Campbell County Alumni Association
With the scheduled opening of the new campus soon, Campbell County
alumni have embarked on an ambitious project to help raise money to
furnish the new facility. If interested in contributing to the cause, contact the
Office of Alumni Relations. e-mail: campcoalum@roanestate.edu
Three New Chapters Under Review for Chartering
The Office of Alumni Relations
is exploring the possibility of
three new chapters. If you are
interested in participating,
contact the Office of Alumni
Relations.
• Fentress County Chapter
• Scott County Chapter
• Opticianry Chapter
Office of Alumni Relations
Tamsin Miller
Director, Alumni Relations
Roane State Community College
276 Patton Lane
Harriman, TN 37748
Phone: (865) 882-4503
e-mail: alumni@roanestate.edu
Check our Web site for updates
on chapters and upcoming activities.
www.roanestate.edu keyword: alumni
Outstanding Alumnus Sought
We’re seeking nominations for the 2006 Outstanding
Alumni Awards to be given to an RSCC alumna and alumnus
in recognition of outstanding service to their profession,
to RSCC and to the community.
Nominations
Nominations can be made by anyone and must include:
1. the Nominee Information Form
2. a letter of recommendation
3. a resume of the candidate
Nominations should include the nominee’s name, address, date of
graduation and degree (to be verified by RSCC personnel) and
information detailing how the nominee meets each of the three
criteria.
Eligibility
Nominees must have attended Roane State Community College
for at least 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours to be considered
for this award.
Criteria for Selection
1. Noteworthy professional contributions
a. To one’s profession (beyond normal requirements and expectations)
b. Recognized via professional awards or recognition
2. Contributions to the spirit and values of Roane State Community
College
3. Contributions to his or her community through community service or
volunteer work
Selection Process
Selections will be made by the RSCC Alumni Recognition Committee.
Deadline for submission of nomination: May 31, 2006
For more information, call (865) 882-4503. Or you may e-mail a request
for application or print the Nominee Information Form directly from the
Web at: www.roanestate.edu keyword: alumni
Submit all nominations and materials to:
Office of Alumni Relations
Roane State Community College
276 Patton Lane
Harriman, TN 37748
(865) 882-4503
e-mail: alumni@roanestate.edu
21
Roane State Foundation
going the extra mile
What’s the perfect way to remember a loved one or express your passion for higher education?
For many, it’s a scholarship endowment through the Roane State Foundation. Each year, Roane State
students striving for a better life enjoy “the kindness of strangers” who have reached out to help those
in their communities.
Here are a few of those beneficiaries:
Tiffany Selvidge, a first-year nursing student from Sweetwater,
has received the Nancy Ann Garrison Memorial Scholarship.
She says the award “has made it possible for me to continue my
education and follow my dream of becoming a nurse. Without
this scholarship, I would have to work more and have less time to
spend on school. I’m very thankful for the foundation scholarship
donors. Without them, many students would not be able to manage school.”
Monica Burgess graduated from Rhea County High School
in 2005. At Roane State, she is studying pre-pharmacy and has
received the A.C. Mullins Achievement Scholarship. “Thanks to the
Roane State Foundation, I’m able to further my education close to
home. I hope the foundation can continue to help other students
in the same way it has helped me.”
A married father of two, Christopher Chamblee of Clinton is a
nursing major and the recipient of the Linda Kent Memorial
Nursing Scholarship. He plans to work in a cardiac speciality unit
upon graduation, then pursue bachelor’s and master’s degrees
in nursing. “I have learned in nursing school what true focus is
and how to organize to achieve far more than what I previously
thought possible,” said Chamblee, of his successful balancing of
work, college and family life. “I have also learned that I cannot
do it alone.”
Summer Hancock of Scott County has received the James L.
Tarwater Scholarship, which helps her purchase textbooks. “I only
received a partial Pell (federal) grant, so this scholarship was much
needed.” Hancock, who is married with four young children,
faces a long road toward her ultimate goal of a doctorate in neural
psychology. “Because of the many wonderful teachers and staff
members who are willing to help in any way, my time at Roane
State has been immensely enjoyable and educational at the same
time.”
Clockwise from top left: Selvidge,
Chamblee, Hancock, Burgess, and
Braeuner.
22
Deborah Braeuner of Knoxville is majoring in radiologic
technology. She’s receiving the Kent Adult Learner Scholarship,
which has made it possible for her to return to school. “(My
husband) and I have three children in college, and we just couldn’t
imagine or afford one more tuition bill.” Braeuner, who chose her
major because she wants to help others, is thrilled with the training
she’s getting. “The (rad tech) program stresses excellent patient care.
We are told to think of the patient as one of our family members,
and to treat them the same way we would want our family member to be treated.”
Calendar
coming up at your community college
april
April 13-15
20-22
Roane State Concert Choir in performance
April 14-16
Circuit by the River Quarter Horse Show
April 17
Softball Lady Raiders vs. Vol State (2 p.m.)
April 18
Softball Lady Raiders vs. Cleveland State (2 p.m.)
April 20-22
27-29
Art gallery exhibit by Tim VanBeke
April 21
Baseball Raiders vs. Cleveland State (2 p.m.)
April 21
Groundbreaking for Scott County Campus addition (noon)
April 21-23
Tennessee Reining Horse Association
April 22
Baseball Raiders vs. Cleveland State (noon)
April 22
Softball Lady Raiders vs. St. Catharine (1 p.m.)
April 23
Softball Lady Raiders vs. St. Catharine (11 a.m.)
April 28-30
Spring Dance Concert by Arts in Motion Dance Studio
April 29
National Barrel Horse Association
April 29
Roane County 4-H
may
june
June 1
First- and full-term summer term classes begin
June 1-4
Region III Hillbilly Classic Quarter Horse Show
June 3
Public star gaze at observatory
June 8-10
Smoky Mountain District 4-H Show
June 14-18
Dogwood Classic Quarter Horse Show
June 23-25
Fortune 5 Barrel Show
June 29
Second-term summer classes begin
May 5-6
Commencement ceremonies in Roane Campus gym
July 7-9
Ron McLoughlin Horse Handling School
May 5-7
Ron McLoughlin Horse Handling School
July 8
National Barrel Horse Association
May 5-7
East Tennessee Cutting Horse Association
July 15
Tennessee Paint Horse Club
May 6
Public Star gaze at observatory
July 15-16
Tennessee Reining Horse Association
May 13-14
Tennessee Reining Horse Association
July 27
Last day of summer classes
May 19-20
Smoky Mountain Walking Horse Association
July 27-31
Country Music Quarter Horse Show
May 27-28
Oak Ridge Kennel Club
july
Call the Henry/Stafford Agricultural Exposition Center at (865) 882-4590 for details.
Roane State Presents: All events are in the theatre on the Roane County Campus. Call the numbers listed on page 5 for more information.
Games listed are played on the Roane County Campus.
23
Roane State Pride.
SIFE recently sold these shiny license plates to alumni and
friends of the college. SIFE–Students In Free Enterprise–
includes some of the college’s most active student leaders.
Roane State Community College
Office of Alumni Relations
276 Patton Lane
Harriman, TN 37748
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Graphic Design by Sandi Roberts. 14,000 copies printed at EBSCO Media, Birmingham, Alabama.
RSCC is a TBR and an AA/EEO Institution. RSCC Publication #06-090.
Non Profit
Organization
U.S. Postage Paid
Permit No. 2
Harriman, TN 37748